Rangers run over Timberwolves 44-13
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
Naches Valley staked a claim for the number one spot in the SCAC west with a convincing 44-13 win over Goldendale. It w as one of those games in which the score got out of hand, even though the game seemed much closer.
It was an ominous start to the game when Torey Spaulding fumbled the opening kickoff, but the Rangers were three and out, so no harm was done. From that point on, it was a game of inconsistent offense from Goldendale versus consistent running from Naches Valley.
In their first possession, the Timberwolves benefitted from a pass interference, then fumbled, but recovered, only to have the ball picked off, which led to the only score of the first quarter. The Timberwolves shook it off and came right back with a drive that stalled on fourth and four at the Naches Valley 16. Credit great defense on the play that snuffed out a flare pass to Kyle Cairns.
Still, no harm done, as it was another three and out for the Rangers, leaving Goldendale with decent field position. The second interception of the quarter gave the ball right back to the Rangers. Nic Lukehart found room up the middle and broke off a 42-yard run down the left sideline to Goldendale’s 19-yard line. This time it was Goldendale who stopped a fourth down play on good pass defense by Cole Cameron.
The quarter ended with Goldendale having an 89-60 edge in yardage and trailed just 7-0 in spite of three turnovers. The Rangers were 0-8 in passing.
The game slipped away in the second quarter as Naches Valley’s offensive line began to blow huge holes in the middle of the Wolf defense, allowing Nic Lukehart to gallop off for 70 yards in the quarter. Ranger success in the running game opened up the passing game, including a big 21-yard play on fourth and nine that led to a Mike Jones field goal.
In the meantime, Goldendale’s passing game continued to sputter. Austin Ross was 0-5 in the quarter, and was picked off for the third time when Ethan Flory jumped a route and scored to make it a 24-0 ball game. The Timberwolves managed only 17 yards of offense in the second quarter.
Both offenses were effective in the third quarter, but Lukehart added 77 yards to his total, including a 48 yard run on the first play from scrimmage.
Goldendale answered with an eight-play drive keyed by an 18 yard run from Cairns and catches of 14 and 10 yards by J.D. Moss, the last one for touchdown with 5:43 left in the third quarter. Ross led Moss with a perfectly timed pass and Moss used his body to shield the defender.
The Rangers returned the favor with an 18 yard touchdown to Dylan Swain on a mirror image of the Moss touchdown.
Goldendale failed in their next possession, leaving Naches Valley with the ball on the Wolves 38-yard line. Six plays later, Lucas Forgey scored to make it 44-6.
Goldendale’s final score came at 2:21 left in the game following a great pass play as Ross laid the ball out for Justin Garrigus who dove for the 28 yard gain. On the next play, Cairns scampered 25 yards for the touchdown.
Next up for Goldendale is a road trip to Granger. The game is crucial for both teams who hope to finish in one of the top three spots in the SCAC west.
Coach Don Strother says his team needs to get fired up for the game and get back to doing some of the things they do best. “Naches had us well scouted and ran zone plays at us. One person not doing their job” (led to the defensive breakdown.)
Naches Valley 7 17 14 6 44
Goldendale 0 0 6 7 13
Rushing: G – Cairns 20-111-1, Ross 6-29, Hunziker 5-12. NV – Lukehart 22-221-3, Forgey 10-61-1, Brandon Gillespie 4-27, Daniel Contreras 3-10, Kyle Stanley 1- (-4), Nolan Sheehan 4-24.
Passing: G – Ross 9-21-3-115-1td. NV – Gillespie 5-16-0-86-1td.
Receiving: G – Moss 4-46-1, Garrigus 1-28, Cameron 2-21, Anthony Dobson 1-13, Cairns 1-(-3). Swain 3-53, Forgey 1-37, Lukehart 1-(-4).
Second cross country win for Putnam at Apple Ridge
Israel wins boy’s race, Hernandez second
Neola Putnam is on a mission. The Glenwood senior is looking for a podium spot at the State cross country meet next month, and her recent times give her a good shot at making it.
Last Thursday, Putnam was the winner at the Highland meet, held at Apple Ridge in Cowiche. It was her second victory on the course in three weeks. Putnam ran the course in 18:17 the first time out, without the hill, and came through with a 19:19 last week, hill included. Her times are considerable improvements over her 20:47 on the course last year.
Putnam is no stranger to the podium at State, finishing third in 2006 and fifth in 2007. You might think the senior would be looking for the number one spot in this year’s race, but Putnam isn’t letting her thoughts go there. “I haven’t thought about State,” said Putnam. She also said she would be happy with any podium finish.
On paper, Putnam’s chief competition will be 2006 winner and 2007 runner-up Lisa Vandenburg and St. George’s Katie Reidy. Reidy edged Putnam last year by five seconds and was eighth in 2006.
“Some other girls have improved their times,” says Putnam, explaining why expecting to win at State may not be realistic. One of those might be White Pass junior Mikel Elliott, who was fifth in State in 2006 and third in 2007.
All four girls will have the opportunity to test each other during the district meet on Nov. 1, in Spokane. The top 15 move on to State in Pasco, Nov. 8.
Goldendale
The meet at Cowiche also gave Asa Israel his second win of the season. Israel’s time of 16:21 helped lead his team to head-to-head wins over Granger and Highland.
Israel is also looking to move up at State. His State qualifying run at Apple Ridge last year was 17:01. Israel missed the podium by one spot with a 13th place finish at State last year. Seven of the top 12 were seniors last year, giving Israel reason to hope for a good finish.
Other runners that helped the Goldendale boys win at Highland were Conner Harris (18:24) in fifth, Dylan Powers (18:49) in eighth, and Zach Wandersheid (19:33) in 10th.
For the Goldendale girls, Addie Christensen was third with a time of 22:05, and Lexy Knowlton was eighth in 24:13.
Goldendale hosts Zillah and Royal at Ekone’ Park on Oct. 16. The race will begin at 4 p.m.
Bickleton
Junior Hernandez continued his chase to get back into contention in the 1B class. Hernandez ran second to Israel at Apple Ridge with a time of 17:25, knocking more than a minute off his time on the course last year.
Hernandez placed 24th at the State meet as an eighth grader in 2005. His time that year was 18:54. He was unable to make the cut in 2006 or 2007, but has been running better than ever this year.
Hernandez competed in the Quincy Invitational on Saturday with just a day rest. His 18:14.23 in the 3.1 mile event was his best time for the distance this year and placed him fifth in the varsity boys’ division.
Patrick Maeder is another Bickleton runner who has been turning in good times. Maeder lopped close to two minutes off his time at Apple Ridge, finishing seventh in 18:43. He ran a 19:59.64 for 28th at the Quincy Invitational.
Dillon Clingan, who runs in junior varsity races had a 22:40 at Applie Ridge and 23:44.53 in the longer race at the Quincy Invitational.
In addition to Hernandez, Bickleton’s main hope for a run in the state meet is Daniel Raschko. Raschko has been nursing a sore foot. In 2006, Raschko placed 11th at State. Last year, she missed the cut, finishing 14th with the top 12 qualifying for State. This year the top 15 will go, and the senior has a good shot at being in the field.
Bickleton’s younger girl runners have been showing steady improvement. Christina Wilson was sixth at Apple Ridge, improving on her time by 2.5 minutes. First year runners Kali Federwisch and Jessica Cummings finished ninth and 13th, respectively.
Historic win for Bickleton
Bickleton dug deep to crack the myth of Sunnyside Christian’s invincibility with a 22-25, 25-27, 25-23, 25-19, 15-9 victory on the Knight’s floor. “We have never won any type of contest in that gym,” said Coach Kim Clinton. The win came in dramatic fashion.
It was Bickleton’s worst serving night of the year with 23 serving errors. Given the history between the two schools in athletics, coming back from 2-0 was not likely. “I asked the girls if they were going to dig in and fight back or roll over and give Sunnyside the win? They decided enough was enough,” said Coach Clinton.
Morgan McBride was a bright spot serving 23 of 26 and Katelyn Clinton led the way at net. Dede Kibby assisted on some key hits by Aymie Osborne late in the match.
It was the first win for a Pirate girls team against Sunnyside Christian in any sport since 1984. Next up is Thursday’s game at Glenwood against TLG. The game was rescheduled from last Friday.
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